Comments on: Bruins beat Caps 3-1: We’re Grumpy

By: Armchair GM: Fiddling with the Roster

Armchair GM: Fiddling with the Roster — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 05:29:33 +0000

[...] hat trick and Tomas Fleischmann’s OTGWGFTW capped off a miserable stint for the team. Two deflating losses to the Bruins provide an excellent case study in the Caps’ problems: aside [...]

By: Bruins beat Caps 4-1: Mortifying

Bruins beat Caps 4-1: Mortifying — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 02:32:36 +0000

[...] seems unfair to pick any players out for bad performances; it was almost uniformly bad. Like last game, the Caps are still wracked by injury, direly missing Boyd Gordon and Mike Green in particular. [...]

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:06:25 +0000

@Peter… Haha Sweet Pickles were kids books http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Pickles

Goose Goofs Off saying she’ll do everything… later… basically a cautionary lesson about procrastination

In my Caps scenario… it appears that they’ll Stay Angry…. tomorrow

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:47:32 +0000

That’s a good point, Sean. I haven’t seen the Caps cycle successfully much. The other teams’ D doesn’t seem to be giving them the space.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:43:49 +0000

BigNed’s 2nd point is stunningly correct for not having watched a game. Teams are using Montreal’s aggressive strategy a lot more against the Caps this season, and, in large, it’s frustrating the Caps offense. Naturally, having Green out and attempting to cover for the lack of defense presented by Sloan and Erskine is also contributing.

In general, the Caps need to work on developing more set offense, cycling the puck, and gaining the zone with possession. So far the offense has been far too reliant on individual efforts.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:39:10 +0000

Dan, I think it was Backstrom who was trying to catch up. I’m not sure Sloan’s d was perfect on that play though.

Neuvi wasn’t at fault, but he shouldn’t have been on the ice with the flu anyway. Word on the street is he was vomiting (or wishes he was) eighth after coming off.

By: BigNed

BigNed — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:08:32 +0000

@Mary – there is a difference between going to the park for a media/fan event and going for yourself. I love how accessible and friendly the Caps players are and that Ted Leonsis and crew try really hard to make that the case. However, if you’ve ever chaperoned a school trip or been a camp counselor, you know that having responsibility uses energy and creates stress. When other people have expectations of you, you can’t fully relax and let your guard down.

Which brings up something I hadn’t thought of before: how much stress are the Caps under just because they a) appreciate the fans, b) want to do well for the fans, and c) are aware that the fans kind of think they walk on water? The Caps fans that I know of are not just hockey buffs supporting the local team, they are also DC sports fans desperate for a winner and thrilled to have a successful team to cheer for after years of let downs. The same access to players that has helped generate the rabid level of fan loyalty the Caps enjoy may be contributing to their tension on ice.

By: DanH

DanH — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:23:07 +0000

I didn’t think Neuvy was at fault for either of those goals. 2 on 1 he’s gotta play the guy with puck. Looked to me like Sloan played it as well as he could have. I thought the Caps forward (not sure who) didn’t skate very hard to catch up with Krecji.

Neuvy made the first save before the second goal but you gotta have someone covering the shooter and the d-man needs to keep Lucic from getting to the rebound.

By: Mary K

Mary K — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:31:16 +0000

@BigNed — the boys (except for Ovi and Varly) just spent some time at an amusement park, where they rode the rides and played with water guns (and signed autographs).

http://capitalsnewsnetworkofftheice.blogspot.com/2010/10/photos-2010-caps-season-ticket-holder.html

By: Peter Hassett

Peter Hassett — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:29:26 +0000

@BigNed,

I think that’s really insightful, especially point 2.

My whole attitude is that you win championships not by focusing on the postseason, but on the game in front of you. Really, the moment in front of you: the microevent.

And I also agree with you about the offense– they seem to get jazzed off of low-probability stretch passes instead of well composed offensive thrusts. They don’t cross the blue well, and once past it, they linger in the corners.

Maybe it’ll mellow with time, but the Caps seem to be traumatized by the playoffs, and it’s hurting them in the present tense.

Anyway, thanks for the comment